Help! Leaving for Germany in 2 days. Need Advice
Dec 14th, 2005, 04:44 PM
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Help! Leaving for Germany in 2 days. Need Advice
I am going to be in Germany for 2 nights, arriving in Frankfurt this Saturday. My husband I have no clue what to do when we get there. We are thinking about going to Hiedelberg Saturday and Rotherberg Sunday. Then we leave for Paris Monday morning. We just bought our EuroRail pass. Can anyone please give me some suggestions on what to do when we get to Rothenberg and or Hiedelberg or any other cities near Frankfurt. Thanks!
Dec 14th, 2005, 05:40 PM
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Heidelberg is a wonderful city and only about 35 miles south of Frankfurt. Just stroll! In the Altstadt (Old City) there are plenty of coffeeshops and wonderful sights. If you like to hike, cross the river by way of the Old Bridge just below the castle and walk up Philosopher's Way ("weg" in German) to get an even more fantastic view of the castle and city.
I wouldn't go all the way to Rothenberg, I would hang out in Frankfurt or go north to see the castles along the Rhein River.
I wouldn't go all the way to Rothenberg, I would hang out in Frankfurt or go north to see the castles along the Rhein River.
Dec 14th, 2005, 06:06 PM
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Here's a post from August '05 regarding Frankfurt and surrounding area:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34665050
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34665050
Dec 14th, 2005, 06:45 PM
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When I was planning my Germany trip, I wanted to see the original Guttenberg (sp?) bibles in Heidelberg. I understand it is a university town, too. I never made it there, but maybe some Germany experts can guide you further.
You can just walk around Rothenburg and there is lots to see. Lots of shops and shopping to be done! St. Jakob's church has beautiful carvings done by Tilmann Reimenschneider - don't miss them. If you will be there at night, there is the Nightwatchman's Tour. We wanted to do that, but it was freezing cold and pouring rain and we couldn't face going outside.
Have a wonderful trip!
You can just walk around Rothenburg and there is lots to see. Lots of shops and shopping to be done! St. Jakob's church has beautiful carvings done by Tilmann Reimenschneider - don't miss them. If you will be there at night, there is the Nightwatchman's Tour. We wanted to do that, but it was freezing cold and pouring rain and we couldn't face going outside.
Have a wonderful trip!
Dec 14th, 2005, 07:19 PM
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Hi
I just came back from a week in Germany visiting Christmas markets. Heidelberg is delightful, The setting is beautiful and the Christmas market is fun. Their Gluwein cups are nice, with a red heart for a handle. If you go, go up to the castle for the view and then down in town onto the pedestrian bridge for the view up to the castle. There is, indeed a University there. Wandering around town for a day would be very enjoyable.
In Rothenberg, the market is not so much because it is the ultimate Christmas shopping town. There are more shops than you can do justice to. You mainly eat and drink at the market. In the Franciscan church, there is a beautiful carved wooden black creche (krippen in German) from Tanzania, I think. Read a guide book about both places. Each would be very enjoyable for a day. And, as someone said, the Nightwatchman's tour in Rothenberg is very enjoyable and enlightening. Wander down to the bottom of the town to the Castle garden. The views over the wall and back toward town are excellent. And, if you are lucky, the Troubador will be standing by the wall to serenade you. If you look carefully, you will see the small cd player he turns on as the tourists approach. Nevertheless, the music provides nice atmosphere.
Dress warmly!! Wear insulated boots, have hat and gloves and an umbrella. Enjoy! Carol
I just came back from a week in Germany visiting Christmas markets. Heidelberg is delightful, The setting is beautiful and the Christmas market is fun. Their Gluwein cups are nice, with a red heart for a handle. If you go, go up to the castle for the view and then down in town onto the pedestrian bridge for the view up to the castle. There is, indeed a University there. Wandering around town for a day would be very enjoyable.
In Rothenberg, the market is not so much because it is the ultimate Christmas shopping town. There are more shops than you can do justice to. You mainly eat and drink at the market. In the Franciscan church, there is a beautiful carved wooden black creche (krippen in German) from Tanzania, I think. Read a guide book about both places. Each would be very enjoyable for a day. And, as someone said, the Nightwatchman's tour in Rothenberg is very enjoyable and enlightening. Wander down to the bottom of the town to the Castle garden. The views over the wall and back toward town are excellent. And, if you are lucky, the Troubador will be standing by the wall to serenade you. If you look carefully, you will see the small cd player he turns on as the tourists approach. Nevertheless, the music provides nice atmosphere.
Dress warmly!! Wear insulated boots, have hat and gloves and an umbrella. Enjoy! Carol
Dec 15th, 2005, 07:50 AM
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The Middle Rhine, the most scenic stretch of the river, is closer than either Heidelberg or Rothenburg. I would rate it much higher than Heidelberg. The castles that line the bluffs along the river will capture your imagination like nothing in Heidelberg.
Dec 15th, 2005, 07:57 AM
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Here's a nice webcam for Heidelberg. It's dark now but check it out during daylight hours.
http://cvbuse.han-solo.net/M1/m1test.jpg
http://cvbuse.han-solo.net/M1/m1test.jpg
Dec 15th, 2005, 08:07 AM
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I have a host family in the Frankfurt area from my high school days. They are bewildered by Americans being enamored with Heidelberg. They think Rothenburg is a better choice. They both are tourist destinations. I have been to Rothenburg 2x and Heidelberg once. If I had to pick I guess I liked Rothenburg better. There are so many charming little villages along the Rhein that you can't go wrong, really. Have fun!
Dec 15th, 2005, 09:22 AM
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If I had to choose, I would take a real city or town like Heidelberg or Dinkelbuehl or Bamberg over a packaged tourist experience like Rothenburg.
That said, they have done a nice job packaging Rothenburg--it is very pretty and photogenic, and the properties are well-maintained. And there are lots of cutesy shops that many people enjoy.
Mrs. Fly is a Christmas nut (actually I am, too, even though neither of us is a Christian), so, besides the overall prettiness of the town and buildings, the one thing that she really liked was that big Christmas store.
That said, they have done a nice job packaging Rothenburg--it is very pretty and photogenic, and the properties are well-maintained. And there are lots of cutesy shops that many people enjoy.
Mrs. Fly is a Christmas nut (actually I am, too, even though neither of us is a Christian), so, besides the overall prettiness of the town and buildings, the one thing that she really liked was that big Christmas store.
